Being Able to Sense When Your Dog is Sick

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Being Able to Sense When Your Dog isSick

sick dog We spend a good amount of time with our dogs (or rather good owners do), so when something is amiss we pick up on it very quickly. We can tell when there’s a problem and how serious it can be. Or rather, we do when we’re looking for the signs. Sometimes it’s a bit more subtle and we completely miss the signs. Still, if you’re paying attention, you’ll be able to spot the indication of trouble as if your dog had told you exactly what was wrong, so to be on the safe side, here is a refresher course to help you sense when your dog is sick.

Some of the most basic changes are very cosmetic in nature. For instance, you may notice that the inside of your dog’s ears are a different color than normal, usually leaning toward a darker pink or red. This could indicate an ear infection or something similar and if very common in dogs that have floppy ears since they can easily trap moisture and have a reduce airflow. The same notice can be seen on a dog’s skin, assuming it’s easily exposed around the tummy or such. Some dogs are naturally inclined to have skin problems like simple rashes or allergic reactions to grass and such, or they may be experiencing a breakout of fleas and the biting is getting bothersome. Either way, pink/red skin is a good sign to keep an eye out for.

In addition to that, you may see that your dog’s eyes are gooping up more than usual. Sometimes this could be an eye infection or something more serious, though it could also be something as simple as a cold. Sometimes dogs can indeed just suffer from simple ailments and need time to let them pass, same as humans. Also, check their nose to see if it’s wet. A dry nose doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog is sick, but it’s a good indication that some other, more serious conditions could be noticeable, so if you discover your dog’s nose is dry, do a full inspection.

More likely, you’ll be very ready to pay attention when your dog’s normal habits start to change, most notably their eating habits. All dogs love food, so if one suddenly stops eating, it is a definite sign of something being wrong. Depending on how long it’s been going on, it could simply be a case of indigestion or it could be something incredibly serious such as an intestinal blockage or something stuck in your dog’s throat. It could also be a sign of something even worse, so when your dog’s appetite vanishes, a trip to the vet is always a smart idea within a day of noticing.

Along with the lack of appetite, if your dog suddenly starts vomiting regularly or begins having bouts of diarrhea, it could be an indication that something in your dog’s digestion is screwed up to the point that a trip to the vet is in order, at least to get a recommendation of a different diet plan. Dogs may seem like they’re garbage disposals, but they’ve actually got very sensitive stomachs when it gets right down to it, so be careful when they seem to be losing their love of food or breaking up with it far too quickly.

Even more so than appetite, a serious warning sign could come in the form of decreased energy or enthusiasm for the typical things your dog enjoys, like walks or playing fetch or something similar. Sluggishness could be a sign that something is sapping your dog’s energy, such a viral infection or trouble internally. If you’ve noticed your dog’s energy is completely gone or they’re just plain not acting like themselves, it’s time to visit the veterinarian immediately.

Much of the time it may seem like just being overly cautious, and it is, but the old axiom “better safe than sorry” is absolutely in effect here. You’d much rather get them checked out and find that nothing’s wrong than leave them to get worse and then really develop complications. Be attentive and ready to act for your dog when the time comes. It’s for the health of your loving pet, don’t ever forget that!